There is no need to go somewhere over the rainbow to experience everything Evilthe highly anticipated film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical. The special edition of PEOPLE, which takes a behind-the-scenes look at the breathtaking spectacle with Ariana Grande, 31, and Cynthia Erivo, 37, is available here Friday, November 1st.

Evil tells the emotional origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, the villain from L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the iconic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

But before the Wicked Witch was feared throughout the land of Oz, she was simply Elphaba Thropp, a reserved and misunderstood young woman who happened to be born with green skin and special powers. At Shiz University she meets her fellow student Glinda, a lively (and yes, popular) aspiring sorceress (and future good witch).

Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) become roommates and then unlikely friends – until outside forces come between them and test their bond.

The cast and makers of the film (part 1 will be in cinemas on November 22nd, part 2 will be released in 2025) are taking PEOPLE with them into the elaborate production. Read on to learn some secrets from the special edition, which also includes interviews, photos and an oral history of the original Broadway show.

Grande hid candy in her costume

As Glinda, the pop star wore a lot of pink costumes that were reminiscent of cotton candy — and according to co-star Michelle Yeoh, Grande's outfits sometimes hid sweet treats, too.

“She will eat sweets and suddenly stuff them into her corset. We're like, 'What the hell?' She's like, 'At the end of the day, when I open my corset, all these things fall off!'” says Yeoh, who plays Shiz University headmistress Madam Morrible.

Erivo and Grande provided baked goods — and Uggs!

Newcomer Marissa Bode, who plays Elphaba's younger sister Nessarose, remembers Erivo and Grande's acts of kindness. Bode said Erivo brought homemade cookies to bake and made vegan and gluten-free varieties “just in case” someone had special dietary needs. “(It) was so sweet that she’s thoughtful,” Bode tells PEOPLE.

The actress also remembers complimenting Grande on her Ugg boots. “I thought, ‘Oh my God. I always admire them, but I don't have a pair or anything.” By the way. And then literally the next day she had bought me a pair of these black glitter Uggs,” Bode says. “Who does that? That’s so nice.”

Between takes, the cast sang songs – from other musicals

When director John M. Chu called “cut,” Bowen Yang, 33, and Bronwyn James (who star as Pfannee and ShenShen, respectively, Glinda's devious sidekicks) performed tunes from Rent And Besides normalwith Grande and Erivo joining in. “Cynthia had to be incredibly distant and reserved and act like Elphaba. So it was refreshing to see her let off steam between takes,” recalls Yang.

Grande and Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard of Oz, caused a stir with songs from the musical Dirty, lazy villains. “We sang it together and then she sang it again on my phone. “Oh my God in heaven — it was music, music, music,” Goldblum, 72, said.

Michelle Yeoh was afraid to sing

According to her own statements, the Oscar winner Everything everywhere at once The 62-year-old actress is not a natural talent. “I love singing. But it usually happens in the shower and not when other people are around,” she says. But to play Madam Morrible, she had to master a tune, so she worked with a singing teacher before heading to set. “I hit notes I never thought I would try,” she says.

Nevertheless, performance anxiety was initially omnipresent. “I could definitely see a little bit of fear in her eyes,” Chu remembers. But Yeoh says Chu and Erivo calmed her down. “Most of my singing parts are with Cynthia. She said, “Just sing it out, girl.” I can hear you singing. Just come out with it.' So you made me comfortable.”

Farmers planted nine million tulip bulbs to create Oz

You might expect a big-budget film like Wicked to rely entirely on CGI for its effects. However, director Chu and production designer Nathan Crowley wanted a realistic feel for the Land of Oz. “People want to touch things,” says Crowley. To this end, he commissioned farmers to plant nine million – yes, you read that right – tulip bulbs on the stages of London and the Norfolk countryside.

Grande and Erivo influenced the stage design

The film's main actors didn't just show up and say their lines. Crowley listened to the stars' thoughts on Elphaba and Glinda, which helped him make his decisions about the set. Crowley says, “There were many, many conversations with the actresses to figure out how they see their characters and how the props relate to those characters.”

Buy PEOPLE's Evil Special edition here.